Focusing-socket for electric lamps



E. A. SNOW. FOCUSING SOCKET FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1920- 1,396,294. Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

IN VEN TOR.

WMATTORNEY cylindrical base or EUGEN E A. SNOW, 0F RIVER FOREST,ILLINOIS.

FOCUSING-SOCKET FOB ELECTRIC LAMPS.

Application filed March 22,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE A. SNOW, a citizen of the United States,residing at River Forest, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented new and useful Improvements in F ocusing-Sockets forElectric Lamps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

My invention relates to the sockets of elec tric lamps which heretoforehave been in some cases so constructed that when it was desired to focusincandescent electric lamps used in reflectors, particularly ofautomobiles, it was necessary to loosen a set-screw and adjust the lampin the desired position, and then tighten the screw again. This,considering the position of the reflector, took both time and labor.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and comparativelyinexpensive improvement to the socket of the lamp, whereby such anadjustment of the lamp can be accomplished easily and quickly by hand,substantially as hereinafter fully explained and as particularly pointedout in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of a lamp socket embodying myimprove ments and the reflector attached thereto and a side view of alamp adjustably inserted therein.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same taken on dotted line 2, 2,Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the upper broken away portion of the reflectorsocket holder and lamp socket, shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a central section of the socket holder.

In the drawings A represents an electric incandescent lamp constructedin the usual manner and provided with what is known to the trade as anEdison base, B, that is, a plug having one or usually two diametricallyopposite short pins 7), b, projecting therefrom. When in use the base ofthe lamp is inserted in its cylindrical metallic socket C and these pinsenter bayonet slots 0 and move longitudinally therein to the ends ofsaid slots and the lamp is then turned on its axis to cause the pins toenter the lateral portions of the slots in which they are retained bythe pressure of a yielding electrode.

My improvements employ the same lamps Specification of Letters Patent.

7 Patented Nov. 8, 1921. 1920. Serial No. 367,644.

and sockets now in extensive use, but the tubular boss or holder D inwhich said socket is secured is constructed differently. This metallicboss D, has the annular edge of the central opening of a reflector Eseated and secured in a clrcumferential groove, or annular rabbet 6 madenext the outer end of said boss, substantially as shown in the drawings.

The diameter of the entrance of the bore of the boss, at its front end,is but slightly greater than the circumference of the socket C, but tothe rear of said front entrance the bore is increased in diameter andforms a seat f for a helical-spring F. The rear convolution of thisspring is seated in an annular groove 9 made in said bore, and the oneend thereof is bent outward and enters and is secured in a suitableperforation G in the wall of the boss. The end of the spring (whichterminates immediately back of the front entrance of the bore of theboss is unsecured and the normal diameter of the bore of the spring isslightly less, say, one thousandth of an inch) than the outercircumference of the socket.

In operation the socket can be inserted in the boss D by passing itinward and at the same time turning it on its axis in the direction ofthe lateral portion of the slots 0. The friction of the outercircumference of the socket against the spring when the socket is turnedin this direction slightly uncoils and expands the spring, and permitsthe socket to be adjusted either inwardly or outwardly according to theposition it is desired to give the lamp and. when the lamp is releasedthe spring will immediately contract and clamp and retain the socket insaid position. If the lamp is turned in the opposite direction thefrictional engagement of the socket will contract the spring and preventthe socket from turning. This permits extraction of the lamp bydisengaging the pins 7), b, from the lateral portions of slots 0 of thesocket and bringing them into the longitudinal portions thereof and theremoval of the lamp easily efi'ected.

It will be apparent that the hcreinbefore described may be junction witha lamp having screws into its socket. In this ever, it would benecessary for of the socket to be smooth.

\Vhat I claim as new is:

1. In a focusing device for electric lamps,

improvement used in cona base that event, howthe exterior a tubular bosshaving adjacent to one end an external recess, a reflector which isfixedly attached to the boss apart thereofheing seated in said recess,an internal shoulder locatedadj acent to the end ot-the boss having theexternal recess, an internal recess ad jacent to the opposite end of theboss, a helical spring maintained within the boss by engagement at oneend with the internal shoulder and at the other end by the internalrecess, and a tubular lamp socket that is maintained in place byfrictional engagement with theinner surfaces ofthe helical spring a A, aI

2. na focusing device for incandescent electric lamps, comprising a bossto which a reflector is fixedly attached, said boss having an internalshoulder adjacent to one end and adjacent to its other end an internalrecess which is intersected by an aperture which extends through theboss, a spiral spring maintained within the boss, an end portion of thespring being shaped to engage with the recess and with the wall of theaperture, the opposite end portion of said spring engaging the shoulder,a lamp socket maintained in frictional engagement with the spring andmeans for connecting a lamp to the socket. V

'In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of March,1920.

EUGENE AjsNoW.

WVitnesses:

FRANK D. THOMASON, VIoLE'r WARDELL.

